Systems and methods for closing a vessel wound

Abstract

Vessel wound closure systems and method for sealing a puncture wound in a target vessel, such as those puncture wounds that occur from prior interventional procedures. A sealing member is deployed intravascularly into the target vessel, and an anchor member is deployed extravascularly of the target vessel. The sealing member and the anchor member are connected by a suture that may be drawn to tighten the sealing member and the anchor member relative to one another in order to effect the seal of the puncture wound. After tightening, the suture is secured to maintain the sealing member and the anchor member relative to one another in order to maintain the seal. Preferably, the anchor member, the suture and the sealing member are comprised of biocompatible, bioresorbable materials that are absorbed into the body after the sealing of the puncture wound has been achieved. The sealing member, suture and the anchor member are delivered by a delivery rod or other components over a guidewire or through an introducer already in place from the preceding interventional procedure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF TH INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention generally relates to vessel wound closure techniques. More particularly, the invention relates to systems and methods for sealing puncture wounds in a blood vessel such as those that result from certain interventional procedures. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] A large number of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures involve the percutaneous introduction of instrumentation into a blood vessel, for example, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Such procedures most often involve accessing an intended site through the femoral artery. Ideally, closing and healing of the resultant vascular puncture wound successfully completes the procedure. [0005] Traditionally, the application of external pressure to the skin at the entry site of the instrumentation into the patient has been employed to stem bleeding from the wound. A nurse or physician, for example, applies pressure to the wound site until c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024] The sealing member and the anchor member are preferably further comprised of bioresorbable material, wherein the sealing member is generally larger than the anchor member in order to effect the seal of the vessel wound. The connecting suture may further comprise one way barbs associated therewith that help secure the sealing member and the anchor member in place relative to one another after sufficient tightening thereof has occurred to seal the vessel wound.

[0025] In practice, the delivery rod is inserted through the outer sheath and over the guidewire into the target vessel through the vessel wound. The sealing member is deployed in the target vessel by partially retracting the outer sheath. The sealing member is positioned against an interior wall of the vessel by partial withdrawal of the entire system until resistance is felt by the medical practitioner. The anchor member and the connecting suture are then deployed by further retraction of the outer sheath. The anchor member is then positioned against the exterior wall of the vessel, and the accessible portion of the connecting suture proximal of the delivery rod and outer sheath is manipulated by the medical practitioner to draw and tighten the sealing member and the anchor member relative to one another on either side of the vessel. Once tightened, the connecting suture is secured to effect the seal about vessel wound by the sealing member and the anchor member. A tamping tool may be used to help push or maintain the anchor member in place as tightening occurs. After tightening and securement has occurred, excess suture material is cut and the system removed from the patient's body.

Problems solved by technology

Thus patient comfort and physician efficiency are impaired where such external pressure techniques are employed.

Additionally, the risk of hematoma exists while bleeding from the vessel occurs.

Such hematoma risk continues until sufficient clotting of the wound site occurs.

Moreover, external pressure devices, such as femoral compression systems, are often unsuitable for some patients, such as those with substantial amounts of subcutaneous adipose tissue, as the skin surface may be a considerable distance away from the vasculature puncture site.

Inaccurate skin compression, and thus less effective wound healing, tends to occur as a result.

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